We had a lovely trip in calm weather and seas around Grassholm via Skokholm and Skomer. Highlights were:
- numerous small rafts of 10-30 Razorbills and Guillemots. None of the birds seen were in adult breeding plumage, and many were young, calling rather needily for parental presence!
- We came across one feeding group of auks and Kittiwakes around 4 miles from Grassholm: this was a wonderful sight and sound, with the two auk species vocalising very differently, and swimming very close to the surface to chase the bait. Then some Gannets arrived and dived incredibly close to the feeding auks and Kittiwakes.
- Nearer Grassholm a lovely dark phase Arctic Skua came to check us out, and circled overhead.
- A Turnstone on Grassholm (along with tens of thousands of Gannets, clearly!).
- Between Skokholm and Skomer we came across several groups of Terns that eventually came together into a single feeding group, 50-60 birds strong. Most were “Commic”, many juveniles, but there were also 2-3 Sandwich and, best of all, 5-6 Roseate Terns in a tight flock.
Non-birds: 3 pods of Common Dolphins, one of which was 40+ in size.
Postscript:
We picked up a few pieces of jetsam yesterday, including a balloon that was still inflated but would soon have become a turtle-killer. More intriguing was a safety boot which, from the goose barnacles that are near-full grown, must have been in the sea many months, and likely years. But, despite the steel toe cap, it was floating proudly, and had a Tern resting on it!
